LOOKING back to the week of August 21 to August 27, fifteen years ago...

A NORTH East housewife took on the combined might of one of Britain's bestselling children's authors and a leading publishing house – and won, in August 2008.

Random House Children's Books agreed to remove a four-letter swearword from a popular book by Dame Jacqueline Wilson, after complaints from Anne Dixon, who insisted she was standing up for values of common decency.

Read more: ECHO MEMORIES: How Sir Herbert turned an ex-Army hut into a village hall

The 55-year-old said she was horrified when she came across the expletive in the best-selling book My Sister Jodie – a gift for her nine-year-old great-niece, Eve Coulson.

She complained to Asda, in Stanley, County Durham, where she bought the book, and the store initially removed it from sale.

Now, after being contacted by The Northern Echo, the publishers said they will – by altering one letter – substitute the word with "twit" when the book is reprinted.

On the publisher's website, My Sister Jodie is recommended for children aged from nine to 11.

Mrs Dixon, of Stanley, said: "I am not a prude. In fact, I am quite broad-minded, but this is completely inappropriate for children.

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"The book has an attractive cover and is clearly for children. They should not have to be subjected to trash and vulgarity."

The contribution to the anti-slavery movement by a 19th Century politician and reformer was recognised by the Government in 2008.

The statue of Joseph Pease, in High Row, Darlington, was one of 21 monuments and buildings to have had their listing upgraded or details amended.

Railway pioneer Pease was one of the most prominent Parliamentarians in the anti-slavery debates of the 1830s and 1840s.

His statue, unveiled in 1875, includes four friezes on its base, one of which reflects his work with William Wilberforce in securing the abolition of slavery in Africa.

Pease's statue, already a grade II-listed monument, had its listing amended to reflect his role in the history of slavery.